We'll see what the upgrades bring but Wirth has overal disappointed. How much is due to the lack of money I cant say. How much is due to the CFD only approach is debatable but either way, Wirth is out. To reference Wirth's previous race car experience is irrelevant against F1.

Still, im sure Wirth and his company will continue with consultancy work for other F1 teams. Experienced gained these last seasons will be invaluable too not only them, but other F1 teams. Do not be surprised to see the teams pick up Wirth to do some stuff. No doubt his CFD facilities will exceed that of some other teams (exception being FI, and Mclaren probably!) and im sure they will want another way to validate their data, maybe using Wirth's own generate codes. I was about to apply for a job with them, I hope this doesnt make it more difficult :p. And after reading that ill be applying at Virgin too :p

Whatever the case Branson needs to stop being a stingy bastard! Something needs to change for them to get more money. Lotus for example seem to have an awesome PR and marketing dept... Something Virgin seem to lack.

Nick Wirth has shown that he can lead a team capable of making a cracking little car (look at the 1995 Simtek), so I've little doubt he's still a capable designer.

Whether the CFD-only approach is/was right or not will be debated until a major team takes it on, but for the amount of money Virgin were apparently willing to spend, it was the only realistic option they had. If they're moving to a more traditional approach, they'll either have to pump more money into it for next year, or they're going to have to get lucky with the models they'll be taking into the wind tunnel.

When it comes down to it, they're the only team without a major technical partner and they're skinflints in comparison to other teams. How could they be expecting to be any higher?

gav Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> Nick Wirth has shown that he can lead a team> capable of making a cracking little car (look at> the 1995 Simtek), so I've little doubt he's still> a capable designer.>> Whether the CFD-only approach is/was right or not> will be debated until a major team takes it on,> but for the amount of money Virgin were apparently> willing to spend, it was the only realistic option> they had. If they're moving to a more traditional> approach, they'll either have to pump more money> into it for next year, or they're going to have to> get lucky with the models they'll be taking into> the wind tunnel.>> When it comes down to it, they're the only team> without a major technical partner and they're> skinflints in comparison to other teams. How could> they be expecting to be any higher?

That Simtek was from 16 years ago and back then there was more leeway with cars and non-top teams could still surprise and show up in the front(ish). The matter of fact is that things just didn't work with the Virgin car though I hope their upgrade package that is meant to be coming in the next few months will actually work.

QuoteGuimengo
That Simtek was from 16 years ago and back then there was more leeway with cars and non-top teams could still surprise and show up in the front(ish).

True, but he showed he could build a decent, simple chassis with a grand total of 40 employees. Verstappen's staggering (if short) performance in Argentina showed what a tidy, balanced car it was. It's just a shame it had so few races to prove it, entering only 5 races.

I'm not going to pretend Wirth is a stunning designer or anything, because in F1 he's not shown that he is, but when it comes to designing racing cars, there's plenty of evidence to say he's competent at it.

I am not shocked they ended the partnership tbh, He had all the resources at Benetton as well and could not build a top car.

Every other designer on the track said you need to use a wind tunnel to do well and he said you dont. I know they have a tight budget etc but all HRT done was throw some new wings on the car and they are even on the pace of Virgin who built a new car.

Tbh I dont think Virgin will be round much longer anyway so this for me is beginning of the end.

I hope they can survive and improve. I believe that regardless of what software you use, you still need real world validation. There is a reason why Newey is so keen on spending time in the wind tunnel (though he should spend some time in the barber shop getting his back neck hair trimmed )!

QuoteSchueyFan
Recently Martin Whitmarsh didn't sound very confident of McLaren making their own engines, so maybe they might attract a new or returning engine manufacturer. Honda is an obvious possibility.

After so many years of F1 refusing to turn back the clock, we're looking at ~1.5L turbos, slicks, Williams Renault, Lotus Renault (x2) and now you've suggesting McLaren Honda. I'm not sure I'd cope with so much retro. :D